Varanasi, Feb 23, 2013 : It has been a colourful feast to many thousands of pairs of eyes who witnessed the grandeur of celestial wedding of Lord Malayappa Swamy (Lord Venkateswara or Lord Balaji) along with His two consorts in the country’s one of the important pilgrim centres, Kasi, where Maha Kumbh Mela is presently underway on Saturday.

The Srinivasa Kalyanam has been performed by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) with spiritual splendour and religious ecstasy in the renowned Saiva Khetra of Kasti in the premises of the world famous Benaras Hindu University. The celestial fete was performed by a team of priests hailing from TTD.

Addressing the ceremonious occasion, TTD EO Sri LV Subramanyam said, “With an aim to propagate the moral values embedded in Hindu Sanatana Dharma and spread the Sri Venkateswara Bhakti cult across the globe, the temple administration of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has been organising Srinivasa Kalyanams-celestial marriage of Lord with His Consorts, at various places in India and abroad from the past seven years with the replica idols of Lord Sri Malayappa Swamy, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi”.

“Today the pilgrims and devotees are blessed to witness a rare opportunity of Shiva-Kesava Abedha in the form of Srinivasa Kalyanam in the famous Shiva Khetram which is taking place for the first time in this most sacred place. Usually Kalyanotsavam is performed as an Arjitha Seva (paid seva) in the hill shrine of Tirumala every day which is restricted to limited number of pilgrims. But now pilgrims can witness the grandeur of the celestial wedding of the deities in your own place. TTD has so far performed this Kalyanams in all the major cities in the country and also in US, Canada and Nepal. Let us bless our lives by taking part in this celestial wedding”, he added.

Meanwhile a team of archakas who perform pujas and Kalyanotsavam in the Srivari temple in Tirumala led by Agama scholar Sri Sunderavadanacharya and OSD Sri Pala Seshadri conducted the celestial marriage with utmost devotion and spiritual elegance with different aspects of puja starting with Vishwaksena Aradhana, followed by Punyahavachanam, Ankurarpana, Kanakana Dharana, Agni Pratistha, Mahajana Sankalpam, Kanyadanam, Mangalya Dharana Mahotsavam ceremony, Nakshatra Harati and concluding with Kumbha Harati.

The artistes of TTD’s Annamacharya Project enthralled the local denizens by rendering Keertans penned by Saint Poet Annamacharaya during the performance of Srinivasa Kalyanams. The various venue of Lord’s Kalyanams echoed with Govinda Namas of devotees who thronged the grounds to see majesty of Lord in the guise of Bride Groom and sanctified their lives.

Chennai, Feb 19, 2013 (P.R.O): The prominent delegates including BJP top brass National Leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Sri LK Advani, TTD EO Sri LV Subramanyam, former CEC Sri Gopala Swamy and many others advocated that it is “India which taught the spiritual oneness to the whole Universe”.

The five-day Hindu Spiritual and Service Fair organised by Hindu Spiritual and Service Foundation took off to a religious start at AM Jain College Auditorium in Chennai. Sri Lal Kishen Advani in his speech said that “There is no Hinduism without Seva. The religion originated on the principle of Service to mankind is Service to God”, he asserted. Later the versatile leader quoted the verses which are embedded in Hindu Dharma that preached the world the essence of how to lead a life of morals. Recalling that Swamy Vivekananda landed Chennai during the same period in 1897 after the world religious meet, Sri Advani emphasised that “words of Swamy Vivekananda will continue to inspire us for number of centuries”.

In his speech TTD Executive Officer Sri LV Subramanyam said, the present day generation are in urgent need of learning value-based education. “In the good olden days there used to Gurukulum system of training which imparted education to the students with moral values. Today our country has got the potential of over 40% of young population. But unfortunately the present day teaching system is focussing only on academics but not on ethics which is very much essential for the youth of today.

“To train and make them aware of the great moral values embedded in Hindu Sanatana Dharma, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) has launched a novel programme called “Subhapradham” during last summer vacation. After receiving overwhelming response from the parents and students, we have taken up the programme this year also in the second week of May”, EO added.

Later the EO enlisted various religious charitable activities taken up by TTD apart from providing darshan of Lord Venakteswara to multitude of pilgrims who visit Tirumala every day.

Tirupati, Feb 19, 2013 (P.R.O): Sri G.T Annual Float Festival , the First day is dedicated to the idols of Sri KodandaRama Swamy,Lakshmana and sitadevi. The idols were taken out in procession from Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple to Sri G.T.Pushkarini situated near Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple on Tuesday evening.

Sri Chinna Jeeyars, Sri Chandrasekhar Pillai, Dy.Eo (Sri G.T.Temle),TTD Officials were Presented and large number of devotees took part.

Tirumala, Feb 17, 2013: Processional deity of Lord Malayappaswamy taken out in procession around four mada streets at Tirumala from 5.30am to 8.00am in connection with Radhasapthami Festival. The Malayappaswamy waited in south mada street till sun rays fall on him at 6.58am.

Tirumala, Feb 10, 2013 (P.R.O): The Purandhara Dasa Aradhana Festival took place in Tirumala on Sunday in a ceremonial manner.

Popularly known as “Karnataka Sangeetha Pitamaha”, saint poet of Karnataka Sri Purandhara Dasa penned over 4.75lakh sankeertans on the lines of Saint Poet Annamacharaya, during his life span of 80years.

On the first day on Sunday, the TTD-wing of Dasa Sahitya Project has organised “Sahitya Gosti”, literary programme which began at 8am. JEO Tirumala Sri K.S.Sreenivasa Raju addressing the devotees at Asthana Mandapam in Tirumala said Purandara Dasa has pioneered bhajana samskriti and became “Kannada Pada Kavitha Pitamaha”. He complimented TTD Dasa Sahitya Project for organinsing Purandhara Dasa Aradhana Mahotsavam in a big way with 3000 bhajan troupes. In his Spiritual address Ragavendra Mutt Seer H.H.Sri Sri Suyeenthendra Theertha Swamy said Sri Purandara dasa has shown the world the Hindu bhakthi cult with bhajana sampradaya. Later Palimar Mutt Seer Sri Sri Vidyadeesha Theertha Swamy said bhajana Sampradaya is the easy way to reach Lord in kaliyoga and purandara dasa gave this boon to the society with his splendid kritis.

Later In the evening at around 6pm, the procession of Lord Malayappa Swamy along with His consorts began from Srivari temple and reached Narayanagiri Gardens. Speaking on this occasion TTD EO Sri L.V.Subramanyam said dasa sahitya originated with a mission to propagate bhakthi cult for the prosperity of the mankind. Purandara Dasa, Annamacharya, Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya taught the world the essence of spirituality and Hindu Sanathana Dharma with their great literary works.

Allahabad, Feb 05, 2013 ,Kanchi Mutt Pontiff H.H.Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi had the blessings of Lord Venkateswara at Replic Temple of Sri Tirupathi Balaji Mandir in sector 6 – Allahabad. The higher officials and temple Archaka’s welcomed him with poorna Khumbha Swagatham. He rendered the vinjamara seva to lord balaji. Vedaaseervachanam was done by the temple veda pundith’s. Later, His Holiness went to Prayaga Kshethram and had holy dip on it. T.T.D officials and Archaka’s were also present.

Allahabad, Jan 31, 2013 (P.R.O): As a part of the ongoing MAHAKUMBA MELA-2013 at Allahabad, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has built a Replica Temple of Lord Balaji in Sector-6 on the banks of River Ganga. In this Connection, on Thursday morning a celestial bath (Snapana Tirumanjanam-usually known as Abhisekam) was performed to the Processional Deities of Lord Balaji by Priests of Balaji Temple at Bade Hanuman Temple in Allahabad.

The celestial bath with sacred items including turmeric, Sandalwood paste, camphor, scented water has been by the team of priests from Balaji Temple led by Agama exponent Sri Sundara Varada Bhattacharya. During the ritual the priests recited Divya Prabhat vachana and Panchasuktas.

Later the deities have been decorated with splendid Tulsi garlands which added an extra glamour to the dazzling deities. TTD performed this ritual seeking peace, harmony and prosperity to bestow on the entire mankind.

Allahabad, Jan 27, 2013 (P.R.O): Tirumala Tirupati Devasthananams will build a temple of Lord Balaji (Venkateswara) at Prayag(Allahabad) with support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Announcing this at a media meet in the Maha Kumbha Mela grounds the TTD Chairman Sri Kanamuri Bapiraju said that the daily rituals on par with Tirumala Temple will also be performed at the Balaji temple replica installed at sector six of the Kumbha Mela grounds.

He said Annadanam will also be performed for all devotees at the Balaji temple complex at Sector six as at Tirumala where nearly 50,000 persons were enjoying Anna Prasadam every day.

Enthused by the TTD decision a doctor of Allahabad, Dr. Bansal had come forward to donate ten acres of land in Prayag for constructing temple of Lord Venkateswara.

Later addressing media persons the TTD executive officer Sri L V Subramanyam said that TTD has plans to set up permanent temples for Sri Venkateswara (Balajai) at Kanyakumari, Mumbai and Delhi to facilitate the devotees thrust for darshan of the holiest deity. ‘TTD will also continue its mission of conducting Srinivasa Kalyanams at all important towns and cities in the country for the benefit of the huge devotee followers of the Lord.

The TTD has set up its publication stall where in nearly 140 title publications in Hindi were made available for sale at the Mela grounds.

Tirupati, Jan 28, 2013 (P.R.O): A Large number of Dasa devotees on Friday trekked up the Tirumala footpath as part of the ‘Thraimasika Metlotsavam’ conducted by the TTD’s Dasa Sahitya Project.

The devotees, who gathered at Alipiri at 4.00 a.m. participated in the hour-long preliminary rituals performed. Over 3,000 devotees who came from different parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and other places later walked up the flight of steps singing compositions of the Kannada Dasas in praise of Lord Venkateswara.

1008 Sathyama shripadangaravlu, Uttaradhi mutt performed pujas to the steps before starting their holy trek.

This one of the many majestic and divine rock formations in Tirumala comprising of 7 divine hills, which reiterates the fact that Lord Venkateswara Swami is every where… sarvAntaryAmi in Tirumala Hills. This naturally formed rock is found on the way to Tirumala Hills, exactly near the 16th Kilometre mark in the second ghat road, leading to magnificient Tirumala hills! This rock formation resembles the side face of Sri Mannaryana – Lord Srinivasa and this hill is believed to be the Venkatadri hill, upon which Lord Venkateswara’s self manifested Archa murthy resides. The closeup pic clearly shows Lord’s magnificent eyes, a kireetam which is similar to Moolavar’s plain kireetam as in his archa Vigraham. It is one of the rare magnificient, wonderful miracles of Lord found at Tirumala hills range. And this reminds us that if we have the eyes to look for Lord Narayana, He is verily found in every where at Tirumala Hills! Om Namo Venkatesaya!!

Allahabad, Jan 24, 2013 (P.R.O): The procession of Utsavamurthis of Lord Venkateswara atop the specially designed Kalyana Ratham at the Maha Kumbha Mela this morning attracted huge crowds of devotees and pilgrims who were thrilled at the Darshan of Balaji away from Tirumala.

The eight km long procession held or the first time in the Hindi belt was flagged off by the District Magistrate Rajasekhar at Central University. Its journey from Central University to Sangam (the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna) via Kutchery road, civil lines, medical Chowraha,Geroge town, MP Marg, Shobatia Bagh, Parade, Kali sadak and Sangam was witnessed by large crowds of devotees. At every junction people mostly women offered harathis to the deities and sought blessings of the most sacred deity known to give boons to every one.

The SSP of Allahabad K P Singh who participated in the procession up to the Sangam (confluence of Ganga and Yamuna) offered the most auspicious and prestigious Ganga Harathi to the deity. Later the procession continued its journey up to the Temple replica installed in the Sector-6 of the Mela grounds for 3 kms.

‘The gaiety and splendor of the specially decked Kalyana ratham of Lord Balaji along with its priests and the caravan of half a dozen vehicles showcased the grandeur of Lord Venkateswara’s glorious following says the Public Relations Officer, Sri T Ravi.

The TTD Superintendent Engineer Sri Ramachandra Reddy, Sri Sheshadri Swamy, TTD OSD (rituals) and Public Relations Officer, Sri T Ravi led the procession from the front and walked through out the length of the journey.

The complex of replica of the Tirumala temple of Lord Venkateswara at Sangam in Sector 6 will be ordained and cleaned up on te auspicious muhurtam on January 26 th. But it wll be opened up for darshan only on January 27 th after the inauguration of the rituals and traditions by the TTD chairman Sri K Bapiraju and Executive Officer Sri L V Subramanyam ,said Sri Ravi.

He said the TTD has laid out a program to conduct daily rituals and pujas at the temple on Kumba Mela grounds as it is regularly conducted at Tirumala – Suprabatham (morning rituals) to Ekantha seva (Late night rituals, Cultural activities like Harikathas and Bhajanas will also be conducted by the HIndu Dharma Prachara Praishad dairy in the evening. Arrangements have also been made for distribution of Anna Prasadam (Pulihara) at the temple complex daily. A stall of the Publications division has also been set up for display cum sale of books, calendars, dairies and also Video and Audio CDs produced by the TTD.

Allahabad, Jan 22, 2013 (P.R.O): For the Kumbh Mela arrangements a team of Senior Officials inspected the site where Lord Venkateswara- a replica temple is being constructed by TTD. Officials like Suptd Engineer Sri Ramachandra Reddy, DPP DyEO Sri Umapathy Reddy, AEO Sri Lakshmi Narayana Yadav, Spl Officer Sri Venkata Sarma have instructed the staff working in the site to complete the works such as potu, tents for the staff, Q lines, Kalyana Mandapam, toilets, parking places etc with in couple of days . The same team will also receive the Kalyana Radham which has already started from Tirumala on Jan 21.